He ran back the way he had come, rushing into the library and slamming the door shut behind him. Breathing heavily, he dove under the covers on the couch, and shook with fear. He had done something bad, he knew that much. Nothing good laughed that ominously. He would think about it more in the morning. He knew that he was just being lazy, but he couldn’t help it. As he drifted back into the dream world, he chuckled slightly to himself. It wasn’t as if anything that bad was going to happen.

He was running down a dark hallway. Something was chasing him. As he hit a dead end, he turned around. Something was coming. He could hear its footsteps resonating down the hollow hallway. As it got closer, he could do nothing but whimper in fear. He heard the monster laugh, and say: “Come now, I’m not going to hurt you.” He managed to stutter out: “Wha-what do you want from me? Leave me alone!” The monster chortled. It was a horrible sound. “My my, What do I want from you? Isn’t it obvious?” And with that prophetic statement, everything faded to black.

Someone was shaking him. He forced his crusty eyes open. It was Twilight Sparkle. “Wake up, sleepy head!” Phew. It had just been another dream. “I heard some noises last night. Would you happen to know anything about that?” Gulp. Had his midnight walk really been a dream? “I-I’m not sure...what did you hear?” Twilight sighed. “It was around midnight, and suddenly there was a loud cracking sound, then a explosion. Caused quite a commotion.”

Damn. It hadn’t been a dream after all. “We-well...um...I kinda had a nightmare, and so I kinda went out for a midnight stroll...and...uh...I found this...um...hedge maze...and yeah...there was this draconoquus statue...um...” He gulped. “And..uh...well...I went near the statue...and...it...kinda...you know...just exploded...hehe...” Twilight looked at him. Then she flipped out. “And you just thought to tell me this now?! Do you have any idea how serious this is? We must report this to the Princess straight away!” Really? Was she freaking out about a statue exploding? Then he remembered the ominous laughter. “I suppose you’re right. Let’s go.”

They headed outside, and prepared to go to Canterlot, when a rainbow colored missile smashed into him. “Oof!” Really? It was that annoying rainbow pegasus again! “Oh, hey dummy! You got your cutie mark yet?” Rainbow Dash teased him as she dusted herself off. “Well good day to you too.” He replied sarcastically. Twilight Sparkle broke in before they could start sparring again. “We’re on our way to Canterlot to report to the Princess. “Couldn’t you just send one of your fancy letters using Spike’s fire breath?” Twilight sighed. “It’s really urgent! Discord may have escaped, yet again!” Rainbow Dash fell out of the sky. “Wha-wha? I thought we imprisoned him using the Elements of Harmony!” Twilight sighed again. Exasperated. “I’ll tell you the story on the way to Canterlot, ok? We need to get going!” Rainbow Dash looked ticked. “Geez. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

As they continued their journey toward Canterlot, they bumped into that cowgirl pony. What was her name again? She had that weird western accent that made it kind of hard to understand her. “Where y’all goin’ at this time of day?” She asked them. “We need to get to Canterlot to make a urgent report to the Princess!” Rainbow Dash said, letting out a fangirl squeal. “Rainbow! This is no laughing matter! Discord might have escaped!” Twilight scolded Rainbow Dash. That made him feel slightly better. “D-Discord? Y’all sure?” the cowgirl pony seemed shocked. “Yes, Applejack, we’re sure. Apparently mister amnesia here had a midnight stroll, and accidentally freed him.” Applejack. Was that her name? Made sense, since her “cutie mark” thingey was 3 apples. Wasn’t that a brand of cereal? He couldn’t remember.

They continued walking toward Canterlot. But as luck would have it, they bumped into yet another pony. Actually, it was a unicorn. As they walked, a marshmallow looking po-excuse me, unicorn, bid them hello. “Hello dearies, where are you all headed this fine day?” Twilight Sparkle quickly filled her in on last night’s events. As they continued walking, they bumped into the bubblegum haired one, apparently called Fluttershy, and the psychotic one, the one called...Pinkie Pie, if memory served him.

Finally, they reached Canterlot. Seeing the Princesses faithful student, the royal guards quickly admitted them inside. The Princess saw them, and warmly welcomed them. “I’ve been expecting you. Do any of you have any idea about what happened last night?” He almost laughed out loud, as he perceived the possible dirtiness of that phrase. The others didn't seem to get the reference, so he refrained.

Twilight began talking. “We believe that the loud noises last night were the sounds of Discord escaping from his containment.” The Princess looked like she had just been slapped. “How is this possible? You contained him using the Elements of Harmony, which you are still connected to! This defies every law of magic!” He spoke up. “Um...your majesty? I think it may have something to do with me.” The Princess looked at him strangely. “Do tell.” He took a deep breath, and continued. “I couldn’t fall asleep, so I decided to go for a midnight stroll. I found myself in a hedge maze, and I encountered a draconoquus statue. As I approached it, the statue cracked apart into a white haze, which disappeared in a flash of light. Then I heard this really weird laughter. I ran away after that.” The Princess looked extremely concerned.

“If you are all still connected to the elements of harmony...and Discord is freed...then...” Twilight broke in. “Then what Princess?” The Princess sighed. “I suppose it’s time. There’s something I haven’t been completely truthful about.” The Elements of Harmony are not the only “Elements” that exist. Besides those...there is another set.” The 6 ponies started talking amongst each other in unison. The Princess continued. “I’m afraid this is the only way we will be able to defeat Discord. These elements are called the Elements of Disharmony. They are: Fear, Anger, Sadness, Greed, Chaos, and Confusion.” Rarity gasped. “How Horrible!” The Princess ignored this interruption. “Unfortunately, I do not possess these elements. You must find these elements. Once united, they will be sufficient to defeat Discord.”

Fighting fire with fire, huh? He was impressed. “Where are these Elements of Disharmony, Princess?” Rainbow Dash spoke up. “If we don’t know where they are, how are we supposed to find them?” The Princess gravely began. “6 powerful beings guard the Elements of Disharmony. They will not be willing to give up their prize. If needed, you have my permission to use force.” They let out a collective gasp. “Equestria needs you, my friends. You are to begin your search immediately. I have already ordered the guards to prepare everything you will need on your journey.” Each of them received a leather knapsack to sling across their backs. Inside each were a tent, provisions, a canteen, a lanter, 2 containers of oil, and in his case, a small vial of a prismatic liquid. Hmm...what was that for?

The Princess whispered in his ear: “Save it for a life or death situation. This took 3000 years to make. Protect it well.” and with that cryptic comment, she sat back on her throne. The thought that he alone  had something powerful in his bag gave him a slight boost in confidence. As they headed out of Canterlot, he mused to himself: “Life here might not be so bad.”

“My hooves are getting all pruny!” Rarity whined. “Are we there yet? I must look absolutely awful!” Twilight looked up at Rarity. “We haven’t even entered the Everfree Forest yet!” Rarity fainted. Pinkie Pie laughed. "Cheer up, Rarity! This is going to be a walk in a park, literally!" At last, much to Rarity’s relief, they entered the Everfree Forest. As they entered, a white mist solidified in front of them. It formed the familiar shape of a certain draconoquus. “Discord.” muttered Twilight savagely. “Ho ho my dearies!” Discord taunted them. “Look at you, all weighed down with those heavy sacks. Here, let me help you.” With a snap of his fingers, all of their provisions turned into sand. “Hey!” complained Rainbow Dash. “Oh don’t worry. I already have your precious Elements of Disharmony. In fact, I would like to play a little game.” Twilight Sparkle groaned. “Not this again.” Discord laughed heartily. “I’ve hidden all the elements inside the Everfree Forest. You’ll have to split up to find them in time! And no cheating, or you lose!”

He was on his own. Again. They had all gone their separate ways in the Everfree Forest. To his dismay, he realized that Discord was strolling along beside him. “Chaos. Such a volatile and wonderful thing. You know, you and me, we’re not so different.” He growled. “I’m nothing like you!” Discord chuckled. He seemed to do that a lot. “You’ll think differently once I tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a young draconoquus. He was always bullied, simply because he was a bit different from everyone else. Eventually, he was fed up. He devised a plan to get back at his tormentors. It went horribly wrong. Somehow, instead of causing chaos in his tormentor’s lives, he became imbued with the power to cause chaos. Instead of being admired for his powers, they all shunned him, and called him a freak. He tried to help people with his powers, but no one wanted anything to do with him. Such is the fate of all who have special powers.

He left the town. Never to return again. Eventually, he ended up in Equestria. But his life here was just as bad. They called him a monster. They threw rocks. Some even created militias to keep him away. He tried to help. He changed clouds into cotton candy and rain into chocolate milk. He tried to add more flavor to their boring lives. And what did he get for his efforts? He was frozen in stone for eternity. Finally, he was freed. Of course, after being frozen in stone for thousands of years makes one very vengeful. He tried to remodel the town to make things look prettier, but once again, he was misunderstood. They thought he was evil.

Those biasing, moronic ponies don’t understand me. No one ever will. Except you. You know how I feel. You know my life. I can feel the rage in your heart. I can feel your hate. I can feel your greed. I can feel the sadness. The fear. Your confusion. They blindly look for the supposed ‘Elements of Disharmony’. What they don’t understand, is that you are the embodiment of every element of disharmony. If you wanted, you could destroy Equestria with your rage alone. You, me. We’re both freaks to everyone else.”

He was shocked by the draconoquus’s speech. Worst of all, he knew it was true. Ever since he had arrived, they had thought he was crazy. He had told the truth. And they tried to put him into an asylum for that. Why? Simply because they didn’t understand him. Discord was right. They would lock him up at the first opportunity. They acted kind, but they would turn on him. He was a freak to them. They would never understand him. He was breathing heavily. No. He couldn’t let his anger overcome him. He needed to get in control. “Will you join me?” Discord spoke. His question hung in the air. He thought. He thought again. If he joined Discord, infinite power could be his. He could be a king. No one would dare insult him. He would be respected, instead of feared. He could get revenge. He spoke.

“No.”